“The vertaga have . . .” Clemon took a shuddering breath before plunging on, “. . . surrounded Ishkabur and laid siege to the city. We were able to evacuate all non-military personal by sea, but those that remain are outnumbered badly and are short on supplies and weapons. The docks are gone, courtesy of the invaders, and we have no hope of escaping. By the time you receive this, Ishkabur may have fallen. We have birds ready to fly should our doom become inevitable. We will notify you and the surrounding cities. Until then good luck, my old friend.”
Clemon fell silent and the parchment slipped from his fingers onto the table.
“The message is under Lord Horam’s name and seal,” Janis added when he realized that Clemon would say no more.
“There has to be a way we can save them,” Ondus growled. “Ishkabur is too important to be left to those monsters.”
“I agree,” Leon replied immediately, “But you heard what Lord Clemon read. Lord Horam does not believe that there is any way for us to help them. The harbor has been burned, remember? We would have to fight our way through enemy lines to reach Horam’s soldiers. And that’s if they’re still alive.”
“We will have to trust that Lord Horam can hold the enemy off,” Janis decided.
“This has gone far enough,” Clemon said dully. “Lord Kurkan, I expect you to step down immediately. Any of your officers that persist with this tomfoolery will follow.”
“Excuse me?” Janis asked.
“You heard me,” Clemon growled. “You’ve put together quite the show. The message bird was a nice touch, but the game ends here. Guards!” he shouted, his voice breaking slightly.
Nothing happened. Then, Sermas and Hern opened the door curiously, peering out into the corridor. “Still out cold,” Sermas reported briskly. “Sorry about that, your lordship, but they were being quite belligerent.”
“You . . . what . . . how?” Clemon spluttered.
“Under the circumstances,” Janis said smoothly. “I think it would be best to keep you here under our protection, Lord Clemon. These are clearly dangerous times, and we can’t lose the king’s best advisor to the vertaga. Sermas, Hern, assist Lord Clemon to his quarters.”
“Get your hands off!” Clemon shouted as Sermas and Hern hauled him to his feet. “You have gone entirely too far, Lord Kurkan. I will – ”
“Oh, shut up,” Janis said wearily, clean out of patience and courtesy. “You had your chance to see the truth, but you’re just as blind as any other noble. Maybe when we are overrun by the enemy you will change your mind.”
“Janis,” Khollo said urgently. “Are we allowed to hold Lord Clemon under guard?”
“Probably not,” Janis admitted. “But you will learn, Khollo, that some rules are made to be broken. Especially in times like these.” He nodded to Sermas and Hern. “Take him away. Ondus, I want our esteemed lord’s guards disarmed and held as well. They may try something foolish and I don’t want anyone getting hurt as a result.”
“As you wish,” Ondus said, rising. “Leon, care to assist me?”
Leon rose ponderously and followed Ondus to the door. Sermas and Hern followed with their struggling burden, leaving Khollo and Janis alone.
Khollo was stunned at what had just transpired. Despite all of his work and the evidence he had gathered, Clemon would not see the truth. And to cap it off, Janis had just imprisoned a senior official of the realm.
“Janis,” Khollo began. “Are you sure that this is a good idea?”
“It’s the only hope we have,” Janis replied heavily, running a hand over his face tiredly. “We know the vertaga are out there. We suspect they will attack soon. We have evidence and theories and firsthand reports, but Clemon will not listen to any of them. Perhaps, when the vertaga slaughter us all he will believe.”
“We need a new plan,” Khollo decided. “We cannot let the vertaga run free like this.”
“Soon,” Janis promised. “Soon. If the vertaga do not attack in the next few days, we will take Clemon to Holwey and the other villages, let him see what has happened. Maybe that will sway him.”
Khollo nodded grudgingly. I suppose we can wait a little longer.
“I’ll take a patrol out tomorrow,” Janis said casually, rising. “See if we can identify the enemy position.”
“No!” Khollo practically shouted, leaping to his feet. “You are not leaving the walls of this fortress.”
Janis frowned. “Khollo, I – ”
“Listen to me,” Khollo snapped, drawing his Sen-teel and leveling it at Janis. The lord of the West Bank backed away, hands raised in surrender. “You can send Ondus to head up the patrol. But you will stay.”
“Why does Ondus get to lead the patrol?”
“Because he will not lose his life taking stupid risks to capture a vertag,” Khollo replied. “I know you too well, Janis. The patrol is a ruse, no more than an excuse for you to go hunting.”
Janis lowered his hands and bowed his head. After a moment, Khollo saw a thin, crystal drop of liquid plummet to the stone floor of the council chamber.
Janis? Crying?
“Janis?” Khollo asked uncertainly.
Janis looked up. His eyes were red and tears were tracing glistening paths down his cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he said finally. “I am not used to having someone care what happens to me. I have been alone so long, caring only for myself.”
“We all care, Janis,” Khollo replied. “Me, Ondus. Sermas and Hern. The smiths, the soldiers, and the spies. You are much more than the lord of the West Bank, Janis. You are our leader.” He paused. “Our hope.”
“I had no idea,” Janis whispered, shaking his head.
Khollo shrugged awkwardly. “Well, now you know.”
The young warrior staggered as Janis wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you, Khollo,” he said, tears splashing on
